Monday, October 10, 2011

Bloody Mary Brain

Whether you're an actual zombie or just play one on tv, this brain's for you. It's got all the complexity you love in a real bloody mary (including the vodka), just molded in brain form. Normally I make this into cubes that I loosely call "jello shots". But with my brain mold just gathering dust all year (relax, I washed it) and Halloween right around the corner, making a brain just seemed like the way to go. So if you plan on dressing up as the walking dead for your Halloween party this year, I recommend you make the ultimate prop and surprise your friends by eating an actual brain (use your hands, zombies aren't big on utensils or manners).

BLOODY MARY BRAIN

4 (1/4
oz.) envelopes Knox gelatin

3/4 cup
water

4 cups
tomato juice

3/4 cup
vinegar

1/3 cup
fresh lemon juice

1 cup
sugar

1
teaspoon salt

1/2
teaspoon celery salt

1 1/2
tablespoons drained bottled horseradish, or to taste

1 1/2
tablespoons worcestershire sauce, or to taste

1
teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco), or to taste

1/2
teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

9 oz.
vodka (1 cup + 2 tablespoons)

1.Mix gelatin and water
in a 2-cup measuring cup; let congeal in refrigerator.

2.Combine the remaining
ingredients (except the vodka) in a saucepan and heat, stirring to dissolve the
sugar. Add congealed gelatin and stir well until gelatin is dissolved. Add
vodka.

3.Pour into a large
brain mold* and chill until firm, about 6 hours (even better, overnight).

4.Unmold gently. If you
have any trouble, just run a little warm water over the sides first.

5.Serve cold, preferably
over ice (it will begin to melt if too warm).

*For jello shots:

Pour the
bloody mary mixture into little plastic shot glasses and chill until firm. Or
pour into a lightly oiled, large, shallow baking pan and chill until firm, then
cut into cubes.